Extracts from Linux Meta-FAQ Version 3.11

This is the Meta-FAQ for Linux. It is mainly a list of
valuable sources of information. Check out these sources if you
want to learn more about Linux, or have problems and need help.
Lars Wirzenius (wirzeniu@cc.helsinki.fi) wrote the first version of
this document, and it is now maintained by Michael K. Johnson
(johnsonm@sunsite .unc.edu). Mail him if you have any questions
about this document.

NOTE: Filenames in this article are for the tsx-11 .mit.edu
ftp site unless otherwise noted. (see below for names of more ftp
sites). Files are usually located in similar places on other sites.
The names are relative to the directory /pub/linux/ on
tsx-ll.

SITE ADDRESS NOTE: If the beginning of a line starts with a
dot, it is the continuation of the address from the previous
line.

Support for PowerPC, Alpha/AXP, and MIPS is in the works, but
don't hold your breath. Read comp.os.linux .announce
instead.

See the FAQ for more exact hardware requirements. The Linux
kernel is written by Linus Torvalds (torvalds@ kruuna.helsinki.fi)
from Finland, and by other volunteers. Most of the programs running
under Linux are generic Unix freeware, many of them from the GNU
project.

The Linux FAQ

A collection of common problems and their solutions. Answers
many questions faster than the net. Stored on many Linux ftp sites
(docs/) and rtfm.mit.edu, the general archive site for all
FAQs.

The Linux HOWTOs

These are somewhat like FAQ's, but instead of answering
common questions, they explain how to do common tasks, like
ordering a release of Linux, setting up print services under Linux,
setting up a basic UUCP feed, etc. See sunsite.unc.edu, directory
/pub/Linux/docs/HOWTO/ for all the HOWTO's.

Linux Newsgroups

There are several Usenet newsgroups for Linux. It is a good
idea to follow at least comp.os.linux.announce if you use Linux.
Comp.os.linux.announce is moderated by Matt Welsh and Lars
Wirzenius. To make submissions to the newsgroup, send mail to
linux-announce@tc.cornell .edu. You may direct questions about
comp.os.linux.announce to Matt Welsh, mdw@sunsite.unc.edu

The newsgroup comp.os.linux.admin is an unmoderated newsgroup
for discussion of administration of Linux systems.

The newsgroup comp.os.linux.development is an unmoderated
newsgroup specifically for discussion of Linux kernel development.
The only application development questions that should be discussed
here are those that are intimately associated with the
kernel.

The newsgroup comp.os.linux.help is an unmoderated newsgroup
for any Linux questions that don't belong anywhere else.

The newsgroup comp.os.linux.misc is the replacement for
comp.os.linux, and is meant for any discussion that doesn't belong
elsewhere.

In general, do not crosspost between the Linux newsgroups.
The only crossposting that is appropriate is an occasional posting
between one unmoderated group and comp.os.linux.announce. The whole
point of splitting comp.os.linux into many groups is to reduce
traffic in each. Those that do not follow this rule will be flamed
without mercy.

Other Newsgroups

Do not assume that all your questions are appropriate for a
Linux newsgroup just because you are running Linux. Is your
question really about shell programming under any Unix or Unix
clone? Then ask in comp.unix .shell. Is it about GNU Emacs? Then
try asking in gnu.emacs. Also, if you don't know another group to
ask in, but think there might be, politely ask in your post if
there is another group that would be more appropriate for your
question. At least the groups
comp.unix.{questions,shell,programming,bsd,admin}, and
comp.windows.x.i386unix should be useful for a Linux user.

A more complete list of Linux FTP sites is in the Linux
INFO-SHEET (docs/INFO-SHEET). The most important sites are listed
here; please see the INFO-SHEET for a site nearer to you (there are
many mirrors).